Political foes from Clawson in bitter rematch

Democrat Tim Burns of Clawson is fighting hard to win back his seat on the Oakland County Commission, knocking on about 10,000 doors in the newer, larger 16th District represented by Republican Michael Bosnic.

Bosnic, also from Clawson, beat the two-term Burns with 54 percent of the vote in 2010. That’s after losing to Burns by 128 votes in 2008.

For this rematch, the political foes both have records to brag about and attack in the hotly contested race fraught with accusations of slander, fabricated endorsements and digitally altered photos.

The district covers Clawson, much of Troy and part of Royal Oak following a controversial redistricting – gerrymandering by some accounts -- based on the 2010 census. The redrawn boundaries forced Democratic county commissioners Helaine Zack and Craig Covey into a faceoff in the primary election.

Zack won back in August. On Tuesday the Huntington Woods resident goes up against Republican Steven Zimberg, also of Huntington Woods, in the 18th District race.

Other south Oakland County elections pit two Royal Oak residents, Democratic incumbent David Woodward against Republican challenger William Shaw, in the 19th District; and Democratic incumbent Gary McGillivray of Madison Heights against Republican Antoine Delaforterie of Troy in the 20th District.

This is the second time Delaforterie is taking on McGillivray, who won with 56 percent of the vote in 2010.

Bosnic and Burns, both attorneys, point to their county commission records as reasons for voters to elect them.

Bosnic said he has kept campaign promises to become the first commissioner to post online all of his expenses, which he says amounts to zero dollars. He also said he has found savings in the county budget to webcast meetings and simplify the tax appeal process.

“I would encourage voters to compare the achievements of my first term with the lack of progress of my opponent in his two full terms on the board,” Bosnic said. “I’ve been focused on job creation, economic development and fulfilling campaign promises, not grandstanding and playing political games.”

If he’s re-elected, Bosnic, 43, said he will self-finance an economic development mission to India as part of his goal to bring more employment opportunities to the district.

“While overseas I will be attending meetings set up by Oakland County Economic Development and networking with companies that may be interested in bringing jobs to our community. I already met with Deputy Executive Matt Gibb about this initiative and he is excited about the prospects.”

Burns, 39, said he doubts Bosnic’s mission “is anything more than a family vacation.”

Burns said he accomplished more when he held the office from 2007-10 even though Democrats were in the minority. He said he initiated the county policy that ended the perk of politicians and their friends golfing for free at county courses; stopped the practice of some communities essentially paying twice for animal control services; and drafted the “e-verify policy” that prevents businesses from hiring illegal workers for work done on behalf of the county.

“Since that policy has been put in place several businesses have not been able to pass muster,” Burns said. “In today’s economic climate I am proud that I protected some jobs for businesses and their employees who play by the rules.”

Burns calls Bosnic a rubber stamper who simply voted yes on McGillivray’s effort to webcast meetings and goes along with the GOP agenda while misleading voters about his own record.

“I am concerned by many of the inaccurate statements made by Mr. Bosnic meant to make himself look good but really aren’t very true, including he has a zero expense record for travel when he has received thousands of dollars in compensation for travel mileage,” Burns said.

Bosnic’s response: “Tim’s abuses of commissioner perks are a matter of public record. If you compare my mileage logs with his you will find that he would expense items such as a six-mile round trip to the Elks Club and a seven-mile round trip to the Troy Marriott. I have done nothing of the sort. I stand behind the fact that I have spent no taxpayer funds for club memberships, conference travel, lodging or subscriptions.”

Bosnic accused Burns of desperate, last-minute mudslinging.

Burns said he knows from past experience that there is more the district’s representative can do to make sure Clawson, Troy and Royal Oak don’t get lost in the shuffle.

If he is elected, Burns said he will focus on increasing property values, preventing foreclosures, creating jobs and fixing roads. Among the ways he plans to pull off those plans: getting the county to fund rodent extermination programs in cities with rat problems; increasing the number of housing counselors that help homeowners fighting foreclosure; doubling support for the county’s business microloan program; and adopting a fix-it first policy that requires money to be spent on maintaining existing roads before new ones are built.

In addition, Burns said he will address the higher admission charge for Red Oaks Waterpark, Madison Heights, compared to Waterford Oaks Waterpark.

If he is re-elected, Bosnic said he will continue to support having a three-year balanced budget and initiatives such as Medical Main Street and Emerging Sectors.

Unlike 2010, when the outcome of the commission races determined whether Republicans or Democrats would control the governing body, there is little chance the GOP will lose its majority. Burns said he has shown he can get positive results for the district while working with Republicans.

Bosnic said, “Based on the tens of thousands of dollars the Michigan Democratic Party has invested in trying to obtain my seat, they must feel there would be significant partisan benefit to win it back from a fiscal conservative like myself.”